AC Milan versus FC Barcelona in Las Vegas, Nevada is an exciting proposition for all involved, but it should be extra special for Christian Pulisic. The American gets to face one of the world’s biggest clubs on his home soil in one of the world’s finest stadiums.
Now that Pulisic is with Milan, he has a chance to fully reach his potential, something that staying at Chelsea couldn’t offer.
Club Friendly FYIs
Kickoff: Tue Aug. 1, 10pm CST, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Team News: AC Milan FC Barcelona
Starting XI Predictions: AC Milan FC Barcelona
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While Rafael Leao is the starter at Pulisic’s best/most natural position, he slots in well with the Portugese magnifico to join Olivier Giroud and form a fearsome front three.
We predicted a lineup that is pretty AChelsea Milan, as we included the two other Blues, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori, in the starting lineup with Pulisic and Giroud.
As for the opposing side, we should be a very strong side at kickoff here. Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and more will likely be in the first team.
What about Ousmane Dembele though?
With rumors of a move to Paris Saint-Germain swirling about, it’s a mystery as to whether he’ll feature or not here.
Starting XI Predictions
FC Barcelona
Ter Stegen; Roberto, R Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Romeu, De Jong, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Raphinha
AC Milan
Maignan; Florenzi, Thiaw, Tomori, T Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Pobega; Leao, Giroud, Pulisic
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.